What We Do

Capabilities

Our passion is to design and build systems that solve our customer’s most challenging problems. Many of the weapons systems the military and the Intelligence Community (IC) rely on were designed and developed by MacB engineers. Because the majority of our engineers have military and government experience, they are able to immediately offer the right solution to meet current and future customer needs. Additionally, the collaborative nature of our engineering teams ensures that MacB is at the cutting-edge of innovation.

With an extensive in-house capability, and a cleared mechanical, electrical and systems engineering staff supported by skilled machinists, technicians and craftsmen, we are the leader in delivering advanced engineering services, cybersecurity, and product solutions for our customers.

MacB’s antenna positioners are designed for use with flat panel antennas and incorporate a custom RF deck. They accommodate small parabolic reflectors and horns and feature simple but rugged drive systems that deliver low backlash, high stiffness and high reliability. A Java-based GUI provides real-time, in-depth command, control and communication capabilities.

Customized to customer needs, our Custom Camera Integrations include both high resolution still frame cameras and high frame rate video cameras. Camera modules have been integrated into miniaturized pan/tilt units for dynamic surveillance applications. Multiple imagers have been arrayed together to provide full 360° coverage of an environment. Ultra-miniature focus modules have been included on chip-level imagers to provide a broad depth of field and sharp focus on the desired target of interest. Control of camera systems include wired and wireless standard interfaces such as TCP/IP and WiFi as well as customer proprietary control links.

Features:

Broad range of possible cameras

Pan, tilt, zoom and focus with precise motion control and remote interfaces

Store and recall any camera settings including location and lens position

Array of multiple imagers with image stitching technology provides full view
of environment

Available in color, monochrome, low light or integrated with custom illuminators

Our electrical engineering expertise runs the gamut from high speed digital applications to high power motor control and everything in between. We are the leader in design and integration of complex technologies, including:

Since MacB’s inception more than 36 years ago, we have been providing Electronic Warfare (EW) services and product solutions covering the full range of Electronic Attack (EA), Electronic Protect (EP) and Electronic Support (ES) capabilities. The Department of Defense (DoD) relies on our EW expertise to support the Nation’s most critical EW initiatives and weapon systems. We design, deliver and support techniques and equipment that prevent the use of the electrometric (EM) spectrum by our enemies. Our EW expertise helps protect critical assets against enemy employment of electronic warfare that could degrade, neutralize or destroy friendly combat capability, while allowing us freedom of action across the EM spectrum.

With top-secret level manufacturing and design facilities in Dayton and Northern Virginia, we are uniquely qualified to provide secure, rapid fabrication services for sensitive requirements. Throughout our history, we have been at the forefront of developing the tools and systems used by intelligence and military personnel throughout the world.

In addition, we have mastered the embedding of electronic circuits into almost any material or host device. Our polymer fabrication facilities utilize urethane vacuum casting, injection molding, pressure molding, rotocasting and can include composite layups. Utilizing a patent pending MacB-designed system and process, we offer the ability to fully embed electronic systems in rotationally molded parts. This facilitates deep sensor embedment in new materials and a virtually unlimited range of molded plastic items: military, industrial
and commercial.

Today’s Department of Defense (DoD) systems often have operational life cycles that span multiple decades. Most of these systems utilize microelectronics, including FPGAs, that have significantly shorter life cycles than the overall systems and become out-of-date or even obsolete while the system is still in production. MacB offers design recovery and retargeting as an alternative to redesign for obsolete programmable logic components in aging U.S. DoD systems.

With a unique capability, we translate a binary program¬ming file of a digital logic device into a human readable, retargetable circuit description. This automated process helps to reduce cost, schedule, and risk by offering a simple path from an obsolete part to a maintainable component in critical systems. MacB focuses these services on the commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) logic-bearing integrated circuit known as the Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) and the case where the design source or tools may not be available.

MacB maintains dedicated space to produce hardware systems in small lots, with production quantities varying from a handful to several hundred. These facilities accommodate multiple material types and includes the capabilities:

The MacB mechanical engineering team is comprised of experienced engineers and designers with diverse technical backgrounds. Through the use of modeling and analysis tools, we create detail designs, assemble prototypes and test our product solutions to ensure they meet the high standars our customers demand. We have been at the forefront of producing unique tradecraft solutions in the areas of: Integrated Sensors, RF, Acoustic & IR Suppression, Positioning Systems, Drive Mechanisms, Special Hand Tools and Power Tools, Custom Installation Kits, Drilling Technology and Design & Drafting.

The Powerpuck is a breakout module for a BA-5590 battery. The unit provides multiple regulated voltage levels, as well as battery pass through to various connector types. Two LEMO style connectors as well as two Tajimi style connectors are available with user settable outputs of regulated 5V, regulated 12V or Battery Voltage. A standard USB jack and terminal block are also included to facilitate connection to commercial equipment. The module also provides graphical LED readouts for current battery voltage and current draw. A Velcro strap is provided to positively attach the unit to its host battery.

–The breakout module plugs directly into the top of the battery.
–The module is secured to the battery via Velcro strap.
–Modular connectors are grouped into pairs of two. The switch directly above the connectors controls the voltage output of the connectors below.
–The terminal block located on the side of the module is controlled by the switch located on the same side.
–Voltage selector switches are recessed to resist inadvertent changes.
–LED bar graphs provide real-time status of battery terminal voltage and
current draw.

The MacB Alexandria-based Prototyping Lab is used by integrated product development teams to evaluate concepts and quickly deliver solutions to the field. We have the following capabilities at this lab:

The ability to test and evaluate our systems against realistic threats is a critical step in the development of the DoD’s Electronic Warfare and Sensor development process. Yet it is often difficult to schedule the ranges, labs or the equipment necessary for adequate testing or verification.

To help resolve this problem, MacB worked with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) to design, develop, build and deploy the Re-Locatable Jammer (RLJ) system using a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) based Digital Radio Frequency Memory (DRFM) and advanced Digital Signal Processing technology. Several RLJ units now exist that can be deployed virtually anywhere, from laboratories to open air ranges, to facilitate testing efforts. The units are built by MacB and owned by AFRL.

We have mastered the embedding of electronic circuits into almost any material or host device. Our polymer fabrication facilities utilize urethane vacuum casting, injection molding, pressure molding, rotocasting and can include composite layups. Utilizing a patent pending MacB-designed system and process, we offer the ability to fully embed electronic systems in rotationally molded parts. This facilitates deep sensor embedment in new materials and a virtually unlimited range of molded plastic items: military, industrial and commercial.

Fully encapsulated electronics, antennas and power supply

Applicable to more sophisticated sensor systems and sensor-to-trigger solutions

MacB SCC is fully accredited as a Trusted Integrated Circuit Supplier to Trusted Category 1A. As a trusted supplier, accredited by the Defense Microelectronics Activity (DMEA), we are certified as a trustworthy design service provider. Our Secure Computing and Communications Lab consists of 12,000 square feet that encompasses state-of-the-art electronics, reverse engineering, and software development facilities to deliver rapid prototyped hardware and software for quick proof-of-concepts, as well as creating, integrating, and testing production quality products for maximum traceability, accountability and stability.

Software development is a complex process. We employ a team of certified and experienced software engineers, many of whom have spent more than a decade working on government systems. To meet the needs of our customers, we have created a system development methodology that addresses high risk items, incorporates requirements for tracking and iteration checks, and continuously tests the system to ensure that the overall software architecture supports all changes.

Our methodology includes Agile Software Development, which adapts to high-quality short iterations, resulting in quick-turn fielded capabilities. MacB’s proven methodology ensures that detailed acceptance criteria are well defined and traceable to the requirements, and also account for throughput, security, training, long-term maintenance, quality, the test environment and any interoperability considerations. Our Information Solutions Division (ISD) has more than 10 years of experience executing MacB’s system development processes, and is appraised at Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) Maturity Level 3. Additionally, the Exceptional Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) and follow-on software efforts, are the direct result of applying our mature processes with excellent engineering teams. These successfully processes result from really listening to customer needs.

We perform in-house development and final verification and validation testing of all products in our extensive and secure laboratory facilities, such as the Wright Innovation Lab in Dayton Ohio. Our test engineers implement Department of Defense (DoD) and customer-specific tests utilizing an array of state of the art test equipment shown below. Our test facilities reduce product development time, improve product performance in anticipated operating environments, and provide the ability to test sensitive items in a quick-reaction setting.

Globalization of the technology supply chain has changed the way the Department of Defense (DoD) approaches the trustworthiness of complex critical systems. In the past, much of this trust was based on the fact that critical systems and their components were designed and manufactured within the US by cleared personnel. Systems were also simpler with less reliance on multi–function integrated circuits. But times have changed. The use of integrated circuit technology across the world has increased dramatically, and the market for critical integrated circuit technologies such as Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) and field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) is no longer dominated by DoD.

Due to this market evolution, DoD neither controls production nor drives the requirements of leading-edge devices. Even in situations wherein production can be controlled, such as through the use of the DoD Trusted Foundry, modern integrated circuit designs are so complex that they are typically composed of third–party intellectual property (3PIP) circuit cores of unknown provenance. They are often designed, synthesized, and validated by electronic design automation (EDA) software developed overseas. In addition, the components are often integrated onto printed circuit boards (PCBs) for commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) electronics at overseas manufacturing facilities, prior to entering the U.S. market. Thus, even with ostensibly trusted processes of production, DoD systems and their software, firmware and hardware components are susceptible to counterfeiting and malicious tampering.

The MacB approach to supply chain security includes a comprehensive assessment of the system and its subcomponents throughout their lifecycle. We have a well-established history of providing support for security, cyber threat, integrity, and vulnerability analysis, as engineering services to our government customers. MacB is accredited by Defense Microelectronics Activity (DMEA) for Category 1A Design Services in the Trusted Integrated Circuit (IC) Supplier Program. Our subject matter experts help deter, detect, delay or react to the compromise of these systems. As an independent evaluator, we can work with the developers, system integrators, and operators to verify that the development, manufacture, and deployment of the system has properly identified and protected the mission-critical functions and critical components.

For more information on our innovative engineering services and Quick Reaction Capabilities, contact us via email at engineering@macb.com.